I have been invited to a Somali Embassy Conference on Sat evening. I will be there complete with macawiis iyo bokoorad

Slightly off topic,,,,,,,,, ARTICLE 20 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA. 1. The Transitional Federal Government shall guarantee the freedom of press and independent media in accordance with Law. 2. Every person shall have the rights to freely express his/her own opinion in any manner, subject to any limitation which, may be prescribed by law for the purpose of safeguarding morals and public security. Well duh

The English, rule Britania and all that, tend to have a chip on their shoulders. They hate the Welsh, the Irish and the Scots and they all hate them.

Ahh, the charter is the interim constitution! At a news conference on Wednesday in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, the United States ambassador to Kenya, Michael Ranneberger, questioned the legality of the speaker's removal. He asked whether the decision complied with parliamentary procedures and whether the requirements of the transitional federal charter, Somalia's interim constitution, were observed. "Was there a proper forum of parliament? Were the stated procedures of parliament followed? Were the procedures and parameters of the transitional federal charter followed?" Ranneberger asked. Another western diplomat said the action "was likely to be an obstruction to national reconciliation. It was done under questionable legality given the state of emergency." Link Time to delve into the charter,,,,,,,

The world is watching them Celebrity Big Brother has reminded viewers in the UK and abroad that racism has not been confined to the margins of British society. The real story is not so much whether the Celebrity Big Brother housemates are being racist or not, but about what national image Britain is reflecting to the rest of the world. Last time I mentioned racism and reality TV in the same sentence on Cif, many disagreed that there was a connection. It won't come as much of a surprise that I stick with my view that, although Big Brother still flaunts one of the most racially-varied casts of any British television programme, it also beautifully demonstrates how racism remains a strong part of our culture. This dark undercurrent - evident in the way these groups form and mobilise, typically along class and racial lines - is currently making for uncomfortable and yet compulsive viewing. The Shilpa affair is big news, not just in the UK but also in India. It has become a fully-fledged diplomatic row, involving Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. ITV News has reported how an effigy has been burnt in India in protest and demonstrations have taken place in Patna. Shilpa has become a symbol for India. Anand Sharma, India's junior minister for external affairs has said: "The government will take appropriate measures once it gets to know the full details. Racism has no place in civilised society." Gordon Brown, who has just arrived in India, has said today that he hopes the message that "we are a nation of fairness and tolerance" comes across. Not likely, while Danielle, Jo, Jade and Jack are in the house! Websites continue to circulate information on how to complain to Ofcom and Channel 4. Petitions are doing the rounds. The debate is raging on an international level. Star TV led their news with a headline that translates into English as, "Big Brother made her cry". Where once television narrated the nation to itself, the whole world is now watching. As the marketplace expands globally, there is a big question about what national image we are choosing to project not just locally, to ourselves, but also now to the rest of the world. For Indians, this is a horrible reminder that one of the very facets of racist ideology is dependent on actively forgetting. This is an ideology that assumes that race or racism is a new problem that only arrived in the UK when black or Asian people did; that Britain was inherently conflict-free before the "others" came; and that Britain's colonial past has nothing to do with newer forms of racism. For those who also thought that race and racism operates on the margins of British society, we now find that the cultural attitudes of Danielle, Jo, Jade, Jackiey and Jack are actually pretty mainstream. But who will be there to remind them about their behaviour one year from now? Who in our Grade Z-obsessed celebrity culture will reprimand them? The current brouhaha appeals to our inner liberal selves. The common reaction has been one of surprise at these four depressingly average young people acting like racist bullies. Why are we shocked? What did we expect? I am merely surprised that they are not more media-savvy. With the cameras rolling, PR people and agents to deal with, one may have hoped they would know a bit better. Or perhaps they have taken note of past high-profile celebrities who have been linked with claims of racism, such as Cheryl Cole (nee Tweedy). Her career hasn't been damaged in any way; she currently stands as the richest of the Girls Aloud crew, escalated by her marriage to the black footballer, Andy Cole. The media industry is highly incestuous - is it a coincidence, some bloggers have asked, that Davina McCall, Dermot O'Leary, Russell Brand and Jade Goody all have the same agent (along with last year's CBB winner, Chantelle Houghton)? Certainly Davina, Russell and Dermot have been reluctant, in the CBB programmes they present, to identify racism among the housemates. Oh, and just a note on whether we can call the housemates' behaviour racist or not. Well, your opinion will depend on what your definition of racism is and whether or not you recognise racist patterns and processes. For my mother, the group formation and bigoted comments remind her of the workplace culture in the education sector in the 1960s and 70s, when fellow teachers would quiz her about whether or not they had books in India. For my cousin, it has stirred up memories of the school playground in the 1980s. For my Filipino friend, new to this country, it reminds her of how she has been made to feel by others in the past few months. It is unlikely that many of Endemol's bigwigs would have shared those experiences. For us to expect them to be the ones identifying the situation as racism is highly misguided, particularly when they have a vested interest in saying it's not. CiF

Racism, ratings and reality TV: now Big Brother creates a diplomatic incident Complaints over Channel 4 show hit record 22,000 · Police to investigate abuse of Bollywood film star Owen Gibson, Vikram Dodd and Randeep Ramesh in Delhi Thursday January 18, 2007 The Guardian Protesters in Patna, India, shout slogans against the producers of Celebrity Big Brother. Photograph: Associated Press Three days ago it was merely the below par fifth season of a faltering reality TV franchise. But as the storm over the alleged racism of its participants intensified, Celebrity Big Brother yesterday sparked demonstrations on Indian streets, consternation in Downing Street, condemnation from the chancellor on a state visit to Bangalore and a police investigation. The Channel 4 show has always courted controversy but has never before been on the verge of sparking an international incident. Yet as the number of complaints from outraged viewers topped 22,000, the Indian government spoke out against the programme and Hertfordshire police confirmed it would investigate allegations that Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty had been subjected to racist abuse by three white fellow housemates. The number of complaints looked sure to rise last night as Channel 4 broadcast a furious row between Shetty and Jade Goody. Speaking after the argument to another housemate, Cleo Rocos, Shetty said: "I'm representing my country. Is that what today's UK is? It's scary. It's quite a shame actually." Rocos said: "I don't think there's anything racist in it." But Shetty replied: "It is, I'm telling you." Later, glamour model Danielle Lloyd, talking to Goody, said that the Bollywood star should "**** off home". India's information and broadcasting minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi appealed to Shetty to appear before the Indian high commission in London when she came out of the house. "If there has been some racism shown against her in the show, it is not only an attack on women but also on the skin and the country," he said. Media regulator Ofcom said last night it had received 19,300 complaints, more than double its previous record, while a further 3,000 were made to Channel 4 directly. A separate online petition launched by the newspaper Eastern Eye had last night attracted 20,000 signatures. Hertfordshire police said it would formally investigate 30 complaints. A spokesman said: "Hertfordshire constabulary is investigating allegations of racist behaviour in the Big Brother house, and will be conducting an inquiry, including a review of tapes." Channel 4 and Endemol executives met yesterday to discuss the row, but privately may be rubbing their hands. Tuesday night's show was watched by 4.5 million people, 1 million more than Monday's. The furore was sparked by a series of incidents centred on a group of contestants led by Goody, who earned millions after finding fame on the non-celebrity version of the show, and including her boyfriend Jack Tweed, Lloyd and former S Club 7 singer Jo O'Meara. At one point Goody, after a row with Shetty, had said: "You need elocution lessons. You need a day in the slums. Go to those people who look up to you and be real. You ******* fake." Ratings, and voting revenues, are likely to soar further after Goody and Shetty were last night pitted against one another when they received the most nominations to be evicted from the house on Friday. Last night, Channel 4 released a statement insisting that there had been no overt racism, and claiming that the clashes were based on class and cultural differences. But in India, the row has managed the rare feat of uniting all political parties. Communists, Hindu nationalists and the ruling Congress party have all demanded action be taken to preserve Shetty's dignity. "[big Brother] is holding a mirror to British society. It is no aberration. We should thank Channel 4 for revealing the hidden biases of Britain," Mahesh Bhatt, a Bollywood director, told the Guardian. Dozens of Shetty's fans took to the streets in Patna, eastern India, to protest against what they said was her humiliation, burning straw effigies of the show's producers. In Bangalore, Gordon Brown faced journalists questioning him on the merits of a reality show he claimed not to have seen. "I understand that in the UK there have already been 10,000 complaints from viewers about remarks which people see rightly as offensive," he said. "I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Anything that detracts from that I condemn." Later Tony Blair's spokesman added: "What clearly is to be regretted and countered is any perception abroad that in any way we tolerate racism in this country." In one exchange, Goody was heard saying of Shetty: "She makes me feel sick. She makes my skin crawl", while her now evicted mother Jackiey continually referred to her as "the Indian". Later Lloyd claimed that the Bollywood star "wants to be white" and called her a "dog". After Shetty cooked a roast chicken dinner, Lloyd had said: "They eat with their hands in India, don't they. Or is that China?" She added: "You don't know where those hands have been." The complaints were further fuelled when Tweed was reported as calling Shetty a "Paki". Channel 4 insists that in fact the word he used, which was bleeped out, was "cunt". FAQ: The law Are the alleged remarks covered by any law? Chief superintendent Ali Dizaei, adviser to the Black Police Association, said section 22 of the Public Order Act 1986 could apply as it talks about broadcasting "involving threatening, abusive or insulting visual images or sounds". An offence would be committed if Channel 4 intended "to stir up racial hatred" or if "racial hatred is likely to be stirred up". Could Channel 4 or staff on the programme face criminal investigation? Yes. Section 22 says those who could be guilty of an offence would be "persons providing the programme service", the producer and director, and "any person by whom offending words or behaviour are used". Mike Schwarz, a solicitor specialising in public order law, said: "Channel 4 and the three contestants making the remarks could be prosecuted under the 1986 Public Order Act or the 1997 Prevention of Harassment Act." What are the police doing? Hertfordshire police, which covers the Big Brother house, had 30 calls from the public "relating to alleged racist behaviour", and passed them to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom. This seemed at odds with the definition of a racist incident in the 1999 Macpherson report which defined a race hate crime as "any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person". Last night the force appeared to be reversing its position, saying it would be conducting an inquiry, "including a review of tapes", said a spokesman for Hertfordshire Police. Vikram Dodd source

A reflection of the UK society? I'm victim of racism, says Shilpa Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has spoken for the first time of her fears that she is the victim of racism in the Celebrity Big Brother house. Unaware that the race row has developed into an international incident, the housemates on Wednesday had an argument over Oxo cubes. After the spat, Cleo Rocos told Shilpa: "I don't think there's anything racist in it," but Shilpa replied: "It is, I'm telling you." Channel 4 insisted there had been "no overt racial abuse or racist behaviour". Earlier, protesters burned effigies of the show's organisers on the streets of India as UK politicians queued up to denounce the treatment of Shilpa. The number of complaints to Ofcom approached 20,000 and the Indian government also indicated that it plans to raise the issue with Britain. Prime Minister Tony Blair told the Commons that "we should oppose racism in all its forms", Tory leader David Cameron urged viewers to switch off in protest and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said the attacks on Shilpa were "grubby, racist behaviour". Complaints about the show have flooded in since housemate Jade Goody, her mother Jackiey Budden and boyfriend Jack Tweed; model Danielle Lloyd and former S Club singer Jo O'Meara allegedly began bullying the 31-year-old Indian star. In one outburst, Jackiey, who constantly called her "the Indian" , asked Shilpa: "Do you live in a house or a shack?" In the latest row, Jade told the actress: "Go back to the slums." Danielle also weighed in - but out of earshot from the actress - saying: "I think she should go home." source

I see the usual suspects are towing the usual line,,,,,,,,

Three paragraphs, well done! I see improvement Would you mind telling me and the gallery in here if a State of Emergency affects the existence of Parliament as you said? This will be very easy for you as you said that parliament is dissolved and I will add for you 'suspended' in an State of Emergecy! Did i hear you just say parliament is 'suspended' or are you advising me to add it? Parliament is dissolved when martial is enforced not in a state of emergency. That was quite clear in my post i think. I also need a copy of the Somali Constitution. Do you have a copy (if there is one)?. ps i came across something alse which throws into question the legality of the whole govnt. I will save it for later.

Fiqi, dont flatter yourself mate. I hardly look at your postings as they are usually waffles of some sort. You have yet to prove to me that the TFG have acted in accordance with the said law (state of emergency as you pointed out). Please go ahead an do so. ps in anticipation of a well written and concise piece from yourself (i'm being sarcastic here) please make sure to write in accordance with basic english grammer and punctuation rules . Reading sentences one by one and scrolling down at the same time can be a litle tedious kido!

I am a legal expert in fact Now, if i'm wrong can you prove it? The legality of SL has been discussed many a time before (do a search). Here we are talking about the TFG's incompetance. Stick to the subject will you? Fiqi A man who rights in sentences and not paragraphs can not 'educate' me

^^So I was right in my assertion that the TFG do not know the rules by which it is conducting its affairs? If I’m wrong please let me know. Ps throwing in a line about SL was predictable,,,when all else fails mention SL seems to be the name of the game lately,,,, pps i am smarter than 200 memebers of parliament as i know the rules

^I see see its time to discredit the most credible man in the TFG! Is Somalia under martial law? Does the parliament not 'dissolve' under martial law thus making this sacking illegal? TFG and its supporters dont even understand basic rules of governance!

^^Good point Soma. I dont know about Mascerano, i think he is not even a class player (never really watched him). Big games this weekend and the title race could be wide open again!

Dabshid, looks like you have along weekend saxib. Sat off!

Originally posted by LayZieGirl: Why are you posting this Terrorist looking athlete in this section? He was already discussed in the sports section, and thats where he shall remain, in the sports section since the man is an athlete who plays a professional sport. LG, I think he was called a terrorist by an Australian/South African and you condoned it (predictable). Now by stating he looks like a terrorist are you not insulting Muslims? SOL Golden Rule No 4: Anti-Islamic: No one will be allowed to insult Islam and Muslims under any circumstances. Your post will be deleted and/or username banned if cought with any anti-Islamic attacks. Your views are welcome but your deragotory language against Islam/Muslims will not be welcomed......

Bob, good to hear all is swell in Afriq Janubiya! Arsenal seem to be on a roll and with wins for both Arsenal and Lpool this weekend, the title race would be wide open again. Rocko, the Frenhc kid is good but all French are cocky! Federra & Nadal confirmed for Dubai open in Feb/Mar :cool:

Welcome back ya BOB! Hows life in SA saxib?

Which row? Top or bottom? Then left middle or right?

Yousuf 'proud' after record year Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf was full of pride after his record-breaking day in Karachi against the West Indies. Yousuf passed Viv Richards' 30-year-old record of most runs in a year and also set a new mark of nine Test hundreds. It helped Pakistan pile the pressure on the Windies in the third Test and he said: "Viv Richards is a great player. "Richards and Brian Lara are two of the greatest batsmen of this century and to be reckoned alongside the greats is a great satisfaction for me." Yousuf's second-innings 124 took his record this year to 1788 runs from 19 innings at an average of 99.33. Richards' record, which had stood since 1976, was 1710 runs. And Lara paid tribute to his opposite number, saying: "It is excellent, to score nine hundreds in a year and near 1,800 runs in a year. Yousuf deserves all the credit. "His run of form is tremendous, though I didn't like the last 600 he scored this season." Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was also full of praise for the 32-year-old, describing the record as "an amazing feat". "I played against Viv in that 1976 series and have coached Yousuf now," said Woolmer, who played in 19 Tests for England in the 1970s. "Both Yousuf and Richards had different styles. Richards was aggressive, Yousuf is cool and sedate. Yousuf has been phenomenal and you need to be at your peak and consistent to beat the record of most runs in a year." Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar attributed Yousuf's remarkable form to his conversion to Islam in 2005. Yousuf said after his knock that "it was only with God's help that I achieved this" and Manjrekar said: "He has always been a graceful player in full flow but now he is mentally stronger and more focused out in the middle. He bats like he is in a trance." Former Pakistan captain Hanif Mohammad added: "He is one of the best batsman produced by Pakistan and the way he is batting I see him going onto break many new records. "I have a feeling this is just a beginning." Meanwhile, Lara admitted his West Indies side faced a huge task to get something out of the third Test on the final day, adding: "Our minds will not be on the total, but to bat out the day." bbc sport

I didnt know where to post this. So i will post here for maximum exposure. This is a man whos cricketing acomplishments i have been following all year (usually via the radio). "Mohammed Yusuf scores a double century" was common.. But, until today, i had no idea he has been a Muslim for only 2 years (masha allah). Here is a short piece Before Mohammad Yousuf's conversion to Islam from Christianity, rumour has it he was told by those close to the Pakistan squad that he was the only thing standing between God and his team. Not so now. Since he became a Muslim in 2005, Yousuf's star has been on this rise and in the last year his batting average has risen to a staggering average of 99.33. He has certainly cemented his status as the lynchpin of Pakistan's Test side and established himself as an all-time batting great in the process. He now has a new world record mark for runs scored in a calendar year - 1,788 to be precise - eclipsing Sir Viv Richards' previous record by 68 runs. And in doing so he notched up his ninth Test century of the year. In the aftermath of his record-breaking innings in Karachi, the softly-spoken 32-year-old was clear about the catalyst to his success. "It was only with God's help that I achieved this," said Yousuf, who converted from Christianity nearly two years ago. The statistics appear to support his belief. The player, formerly known as Yousuf Youhana, averaged around 48 in his first 59 Tests before converting. Since adopting the Islamic faith of his team-mates, Yousuf scored a double hundred in Lahore to seal the winter Test series against England for Pakistan and, although Pakistan lost the return series to England last summer, Yousuf shone, hitting scores of 202, 192 and 128. The right-handed batsman also made two centuries against India and four in five innings against the West Indies to take his Test century count for 2006 to nine - which also happens to be a world record. Yousuf, now sporting a bushy beard, says his change of faith has given him a new-found focus on the field. "I had money and fame but I was restless," he explained. "Offering prayers five times a day makes you disciplined and I take this discipline onto the field as well." Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer agrees that religion has helped Yousuf hone his batting technique and develop his mental strength. "Islam has helped him focus his skills and shaped the way he trains," said Woolmer. "There is no doubt that his religion has encouraged a new serenity at the crease, where he is calculating in his shot selection, deadly in its execution and determined in its application." The focus on Yousuf's religion, however, should not be allowed to undermine the fact that the 32-year-old has always been a naturally gifted player. The son of a railway worker brought up in modest surroundings, he once pondered a career as a tailor before battling to make the grade in domestic cricket. Unusually for a player on the subcontinent, he was made to wait until the age of 23 before breaking into the national team. The right-hander's patience and masterful stroke play eventually paid off and led to a call-up for the tour of South Africa in 1998, where his debut innings in Durban lasted a mere 40 balls. While his natural flair was never in question, Yousuf's temperament at the crease and his ability to switch on for big matches drew criticism. But while plenty of his contemporaries fell victim to the revolving door selection policy in Pakistan, Yousuf survived and has been allowed to grow into his role at number four. "Yousuf has come of age," said former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja. "He can be depended upon to score for Pakistan in high-pressure situations." While his place in Pakistan lore in assured, Yousuf's record-breaking day against the West Indies could finally see him mentioned in the same breath as contemporary batting greats, like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara - an honour which has eluded him. "He is one of the best batsman produced by Pakistan and the way he is batting I see him going on to break many new records," said another former Pakistan captain Hanif Mohammad. "I have a feeling this is just the beginning." bbc

Those who have been to both SL and PL recently 'know' what areas are under whos control and what not. Lets just leave it at that shall we?

lool@Viking We are about to be the richest club in the world mate. Give us a year or two and we will see. But i like Arsenal's way of playing football no doubt! SB, why is Jose crying about no funds? Can he not make do with what he has at his disposal?

Originally posted by -Serenity-: quote:Originally posted by Al Burcaawi: some people are paid to do nothing :rolleyes: You can say that again *points at you and Val*. I dont post while on the 'shaqo'.. its called work-ethic. I'm off today. NO! Its called not having your own office

Now sure yet. If it falls on Sun then i will get three days of as my wknds are Fri/Sat. If it falls on Sat then no holiday. But Ashura is holiday no? Drive carefull ninyo, i saw a road rage incident this morning lol. A funny one at that